When Cool Kids Interactive shipped the latest Atelier title, there was more included in the game than they bargained for. In a Windows screen-saver bonus add-on that came with the title, a virus was included, which manifests itself after installing the screen saver. If loaded, the virus, named W32.Kriz, will overwrite all file information and corrupt the system's BIOS, a fairly serious one-two punch.

Cool Kids is assuring its customers that the virus was not intentionally included with the software, and its homepage contains both an apology and instructions on how to eliminate the virus. The company also hastened to inform gamers that the problem does not extend to the Dreamcast title, which should work properly. Atelier Marie & Elie is currently available only in Japan.